Area of land at Ormesby Beck transformed into pitch

Lizzy Donkin and Judith Underwood from Groundworks North East, Declan Winward and Nathan Brown, and Liam Noble and Nick White from Safe in Tees Valley

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YOUNGSTERS now have a place to show off their footie skills after a piece of land was transformed into a pitch.

An area of land at Ormesby Beck has been turned into a five-a-side football pitch thanks to Transform Your Patch.

The campaign from Britvic, PepsiCo and environmental charity Groundwork, aims to create outdoor spaces for people to enjoy.

Ormesby Beck is one of about 165 outdoor spaces across the UK which were chosen.

The five-a-side pitch will add the finishing touches to the area at Ormesby Beck which has been landscaped over the past year as part of a project. This has included a new pathway, benches and an events area.

Judith Underwood, programme co-ordinator for Groundwork North East, said: “We’re thrilled to be part of the Transform Your Patch campaign this year. We hope that the campaign has helped to create a playground which benefits the community for years to come. This area has seen a number of improvements over the last year, creating a brilliant community asset.”

Work on the site began last September and it now boasts simple drainage and junior goal posts. Youngsters in the community will be able to enjoy the pitch whenever they like.

Since its official opening it has already attracted dozens of budding footballers.

Former footballer Robbie Savage, who championed the five-a-side pitches, said: “Being involved in Transform Your Patch means that I can help ensure that the next generation of footballers have clean, all-weather facilities to play on, just like I did when I was younger.

"Five-a-side football pitches are such an important part of the community because they give footballers of all ages a place to practise their skills and have fun when they compete.”